Six Cambridge Primary School pupils faced ultimate battles last week, going head-to-head with peers from other schools in the Victorian Chess Championships.
Marc Capruciu, Ricky Roy, Nafi Anaan, George Zhou, Alex Clifford and chess captain Lachlan McConnell put their best strategies and tactics to work at the event, which was held at Kingswood College in Box Hill.
It was the first time Cambridge Primary School qualified for the state finals in the open category, and it placed 22nd out of 24 schools.
The feat comes a month after the school’s female chess team – which included pupils Ruthvika Nuthakki, Rylee Haddon, Anu Sendahand, Heli Patel, Selina Binter and Pehansa Dissanayake – placed 11th at the state finals in the primary school girls category.
The school’s new-found success can be attributed to teacher David Jarred, who started up a lunchtime chess club five years ago. Today, at least 50 kids from grade 3 up attend the club.
“Chess gives students a chance to shine at something that’s a bit different,” Mr Jarred said.
He said competition at the state finals was tough, with many of the competing schools including chess in their curriculum.
“It was like we were battling out of our league a little bit, but these kids were so enthusiastic.”
Lachlan, who has been part of the chess club from the start, said he was thrilled to go from a complete chess novice to team captain.
“I just wanted to learn how to play the game – now I thrash my dad,” he said.
